Of Course Dogs Go To Heaven… Here’s Proof!

It’s summer. The kids are out of school. Flowers of every color populate yards and gardens. It’s time for cookouts, picnics, hide-and-seek, and backyard basketball games. A time for kids to be kids-to enjoy the great outdoors without the burdens of homework or curfews. As a parent, we wish that our kids could remain this happy and innocent forever. Then reality has a way of crawling out of the dark recesses and overshadowing a blissful sunny afternoon.

My son went to play over at his best friend’s house this afternoon. It’s a cute house in a “Mayberry” type neighborhood. Full of big trees, quiet streets, trampolines and bicycles. There are “Slow, Children Playing” signs posted along the road sides and speed bumps to keep what little traffic there is from exceeding the 20 MPH speed limit. A safe haven away from the daily rat race of our hectic lives.

That is, until you look at the ten foot long blood stain that lies on the side of the road. My son was waiting out in the yard when I arrived to pick him up. He walked dejectedly to the car and flopped down into the passenger seat. “Mom, I feel so bad for the neighbors”, he said. I asked what happened and he related the sad story.

Apparently the neighbor children had a dog. Not just a dog, but a member of the family. A protector, companion, and friend named Muttley. Muttley was a good dog. He was well trained; he loved the kids and anyone else who offered him a scratch on the belly or a pat on the head. When the children were outside, Muttley was never far away. Even when he went out for a bathroom break, he knew his limits and never approached the road. He had never needed a leash or a fence to keep him in the yard that he so proudly protected.

Today, something was different. For reasons unknown, Muttley strayed too close to the road. That’s when a 3000 pound, 200 horsepower raging death machine mercilessly took Muttley away from his family forever. What kind of person exceeds the speed limit by at least 40 MPH in a residential neighborhood? What kind of person never even swerves to avoid a hapless creature standing on the side of the road? What kind of person leaves man’s best friend lying in a ten foot long puddle of blood and doesn’t even slow down? What kind of person could look into the horrified, tear stained face of a child and and not stop?

The only answer I have for that question is that the driver of that car shouldn’t be classified as a person, but an animal. No, animal is too nice a term; most animals kill only for food or in self-defense. Barbarian is a more appropriate term. I know that this world is filled with war, poverty, hunger and cruelty. I know that horrific crimes are committed each day. I know that the death of a family pet seems like a trivial thing in the grand scheme of things. But Muttley was a friend…

Tonight there will be a small funeral held in the backyard of a quiet home in suburbia. A cardboard box, lots of tears, a few flowers from the yard, a heartfelt eulogy and many hugs. Afterward, two parents will try to explain the unexplainable to three small children. And there will be more hugs because words can never convey the sorrow that is felt by this one little family. Or take away the trauma. Later, when they are alone, two parents will contemplate another question. A more chilling question. Supposed the hapless creature on the side of the road hadn’t been Muttley, but one of their children? Or one of the other neighborhood children?

Tonight, somewhere, there sits a barbarian. A lead-footed killer with a blood-stained car and no conscience. A murderer who could have just as easily been responsible for the death of a child as he was the death of this poor animal. Sleep well, Barbarian! Because one day I believe that you will answer to a higher power. And then there will be justice.

Meanwhile, at my house, we will say a prayer for Muttley and his grieving family. And I will once again hug my son and reassure him that “Yes, Honey, dogs go to heaven too…”

Save a Life…Adopt Just One More…Pet!

Everyday we read or hear another story about pets and other animals being abandoned in record numbers while at the same time we regularly hear about crazy new rules and laws being passed limiting the amount of pets that people may have, even down to one or two… or worse yet, none.

Nobody is promoting hoarding pets or animals, but at a time when there are more pets and animals of all types being abandoned or being taken to shelters already bursting at the seams, there is nothing crazier than legislating away the ability of willing adoptive families to take in just one more pet!!

Our goal is to raise awareness and help find homes for all pets and animals that need one by helping to match them with loving families and positive situations. Our goal is also to help fight the trend of unfavorable legislation and rules in an attempt to stop unnecessary Euthenization!!

“All over the world, major universities are researching the therapeutic value of pets in our society and the number of hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and mental institutions which are employing full-time pet therapists and animals is increasing daily.” ~ Betty White, American Actress, Animal Activist, and Author of Pet Love

There is always room for Just One More Pet. So if you have room in your home and room in your heart… Adopt Just One More! If you live in an area that promotes unreasonable limitations on pets… fight the good fight and help change the rules and legislation…

Save the Life of Just One More…Animal!

Recent and Seasonal Shots

As I have been fighting Cancer… A battle I am gratefully winning, my furkids have not left my side. They have been a large part of my recovery!! Ask Marion

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By JoAnn, Marion, and Tim Algier This past week, we lost a dear family member, Rocky, who had just outlived his “human pet-dad”, Tom, by just a few months. It certainly would have been interesting to know what they thought and what experiences they had had in common!! Just this side of heaven is a […]

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Great Book for Children and Pet Lovers… And a Perfect Holiday Gift

One More Pet
Emily loves animals so much that she can’t resist bringing them home. When a local farmer feels under the weather, she is only too eager to “feed the lambs, milk the cows and brush the rams.” The farmer is so grateful for Emily’s help that he gives her a giant egg... Can you guess what happens after that? The rhythmic verse begs to be read aloud, and the lively pictures will delight children as they watch Emily’s collection of pets get bigger and bigger.

If You Were Stranded On An Island…

A recent national survey revealed just how much Americans love their companion animals. When respondents were asked whether they’d like to spend life stranded on a deserted island with either their spouse or their pet, over 60% said they would prefer their dog or cat for companionship!